Just Outside Birmingham by Post Card.

[sospiri]

Lloyd:

A very interesting picture. I moved to Bournemouth in 1961 and spent 40 years there and well remember the trolleys that were still in service when I first moved, particularly on the Bournemouth/Christchurch route.

Regards,

Maurice

 

[Alf]

Thats a Beaut Mike. There is still a Cross Hotel there on High Street

Droitwich I used to call on a couple of shops there when I was a Rep Lloyd

 

[Phil]

Still an annual event I believe at Stratford on Avon, The Mop Fair. I understand it was introduced as an event where local people went to find work. They carried something that identified their trade like shepherds crooks, brooms, or sprigs of hay on their hats.

After finding work, they pinned a ribbon to their hats signifying that they had found employment and were given a retainer by their new employer which they then spent at the fair enjoying the rest of the day.

Phil

 

[BernardR]

Also the Runaway Mop and similar events in Warwick to this day.

 

[motorman-mike]

And down Kings Norton as well.

 

[Phil]

Another often frequented town of my youth. Worcester some of my friends from my teens liked that much that they now live there.

Phil

 

[davidfowler]

I bought a nice little book at a Car Boot, "Stratford upon Avon in Old Postcards" by Patricia McFarland. Here are some of the views. I'll try to put some more on later - off to another one now!

 

[davidfowler]

2 more of shop fronts.

 

[davidfowler]

I didn't realise that Bridge Street was originally 2 streets split by a row of houses. Here are 3 views of its progress to a single thoroughfare.

 

[motorman-mike]

Over to 1950's Dudley and if you got fed up of the Castle and Zoo or it started raining there was always the Plaza and the Hippodrome next door..

 

[Lloyd]

Over to 1950's Dudley and if you got fed up of the Castle and Zoo or it started raining there was always the Plaza and the Hippodrome next door..

...or if those don't suit, the Odeon was just across the road!

 

[motorman-mike]

A busy scene here in Edwardian era Gloucester.

 

[Lloyd]

A busy scene here in Edwardian era Gloucester.

A nice view, almost all different today except the St Mary de Crypt church and tower - and that's lost the castellation on top!

 

[G G Jean]

Lloyd the Odeon Dudley I believe is now a Kingdom Hall as my neighbour Connie used to go to Assembly's there. I may be wrong. Jean.

 

[motorman-mike]

Jean thats right the Odeon became a Kingdom Hall of the Jehova's Witnesses after it closed in 1976.
Mike

 

[motorman-mike]

Catch the old Midland Red 118 from outside the Odeon in New Street in the 1960's and you would end up in Walsall. Just look at the vehicles seen here and most of them British built.

 

[Stitcher]

Thats a nice picture Mike.

 

[oldMohawk]

I like that picture too, seems to look better than it does today even though it's now a pedestrian area. Nice to see how the cars are parked behind the Sister Dora statue.

 

[motorman-mike]

Thanks for your good comments Trevor and old Mohawk. I liked the shop names from the past there as well, Henrys and Pattisons.

 

[oldMohawk]

I'm trying to think what the 'Keys' shop sold. Looking at the road opposite in the photo, Walsall later built a 'Bus Station' which looks like something out of 'Star-Trek'.

 

[motorman-mike]

I'm trying to think what the 'Keys' shop sold. Looking at the road opposite in the photo, Walsall later built a 'Bus Station' which looks like something out of 'Star-Trek'.

Got the old magnifying glass to the post card and am pleased to tell you that Keys sold cycles and radios.
Mike

 

[oldMohawk]

Thanks for that Mike, I'm just thinking about the blue trolley buses that use to turn a corner that would be to the left of the photo. I also remember seeing an old photo with trams in that area.
oldmohawk

 

[motorman-mike]

Remember when the Motorways got going? Folks would make an outing of a drive out to a Motorway Service Area for a walk round and maybe a drink of over expensive tea or coffee before driving back. Here, it's back to the early days at Keele Services on the M6.

 

[oldMohawk]

Interesting to see the M6 without the central barrier. When the M1 opened, I drove halfway down it one evening to have some fish & chips.

 

[Arkrite]

I left Walsall,the place of my birth, in 1960 .I remember Henry's it sold a mish mash of all sorts. Woolworth's to its left sold everything ( a counter of pick you your own spectacles ! ).In the gap to the right is St Paul's church where I was a choirboy.The old bus station was my favourite haunt.
Now the odd bit. I remember Sister Dora on the opposite side of the road, outside Henry's without any surrounding rest area. Nor do I remember the side road feeding traffic in the direction of the bus station. Traffic only came out of the bus station direction. Was this a later road developement or is Arkrites brain softer than he thought?
I do not remember Keys shop, either it was expensive ( posh ) or it did not have a toy department.Thanks for agreat picture and a trip down memory lane.

 

[Arkrite]

Thanks for that Mike, I'm just thinking about the blue trolley buses that use to turn a corner that would be to the left of the photo. I also remember seeing an old photo with trams in that area.
oldmohawk

old Mohawk , I recall the Trolleys ,Walsall Corporation, came in from the Bloxwich direction and U- turned to the right outside St Paul's Church to stand at the passenger pick up on that side. Midland Red had the stand nearest Henry's.In between the Walsall Corp diesel buses picked up. Add to that another bus station at the other end of the Bridge. Seventh Heaven for a young bus spotter.OH Happy days.

I have an idea that one of the trams did for my Great Grandad, he was deaf and never heard it coming.... regards arkrite.

 

[motorman-mike]

Whilst we're talking Walsall trolleybuses, here is one of the newest to operate before the system was closed down by the West Midlands PTE after the 1969 takeover.

 

[Arkrite]

I think I am wrong about the Sister Dora statue.Looking at pictures in the Francis Frith Collection it is in the position I should remember. But the statue appears to have been moved across in the Bridge precinct in later times. Years of drinking Banks Bitter has finally taken its toll, mother did warn me.

Those trolley buses had a really fast rate of acceleration compared with diesels. How long before someone comes up with idea of electric powered buses.No need for expensive tracks and the easily mix with ordinary traffic.Wonder if its to late to patent the idea. I remember the introduction of the Dennis Lowlines and must have seen Atlanteans ? ( rear engine front loaders) on later visits to my grandma.

 

[paul stacey]

hi all
just read through the very interesting stories and photo's just a little suprised no one mentioned THE CLENT HILLS, loads of us would go regularly horse riding and walking in the late 50's,early 60's, also the lickeys and the KINVER CAVES, with the Crooked House pub. great times for teenagers with little money.
regards
paul stacey

 

[Stitcher]

Hello Paul, I know what you are saying but the thread is all about showing postcards and or photos of locations and or buildings. I personally do not have any of the sites you mentioned but I am sure someone will have one or two. Hopefully they will appear soon.